GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Have you noticed the smell of smoke in the air? Have no fear, there are likely no fires nearby. A plume of wildfire smoke from a large fire from central Kansas has been carried to West Michigan by our strong winds, providing that faint smoky smell in the air.
The large brush fires were a result of 80 to 100 mph wind gusts causing these fires to rapidly spread.
Here in West Michigan, we have seen extremely strong winds as well. Many trees are down from 50 to 65 mph wind gusts. There was even an unconfirmed report of a 79 mph gust in Holland. The National Weather Service is working to verify that reading.
Not only has the wildfire smoke provided a smell in the air, but it also has created a hazy red glow in the sky. This is because sunlight naturally interacts with small particles in the atmosphere and scatters colors. The smoke that is suspended in the atmosphere causes red colors to become more predominant.
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